‘Divorced’ teams are off to court
Aussie defence could be a weakness: Ellis
New Zealand and Australian netball underwent a relatively public, and in some ways messy, breakup last year.
Since 2008 the two powerhouses had combined to play their domestic competition - five New Zealand teams, five Australian teams. That though was until Australia decided it was time to go alone and form their own eight-team competition this year.
New Zealand, in turn, launched its own new six-team competition, won by the Southern Steel.
Simmering away amongst the divorce talk was a lot of pondering as to what it meant for the international game. It’s not often you can accuse Australian netball teams of lacking intimidation in the defensive end.
The Silver Ferns are in no position to throw stones after stumbling to just their fifth loss in 88 tests to England in Auckland on Wednesday (49-45), but will back themselves to exploit a greenlooking Diamonds defensive unit.
Australia have been blessed with uncompromising figures like Bianca Chatfield, Mo’onia Gerrard, Susan Fuhrmann and Sharni Layton in past years, mixed with the all-round skill of Laura Geitz and Julie Corletto.
April Brandley, Courtney Bruce, Jo Weston and the uncapped Emily Mannix might end up being Australian greats, but right now they’re unproven at international level with a combined 20 caps between them.
With the rugged Layton missing the Quad Series and possibly the rest of the year with exhaustion, and fellow former skipper Geitz working her way back after the birth of son, Barney, in February, Australia don’t have the same defensive fear factor.
Even former Australian captain Liz Ellis, no shrinking violet in the defensive end herself, conceded the Diamonds looked light.
‘‘Certainly it’s the most inexperienced one I’ve seen. I certainly feel there’s a weakness there ...
‘‘We’ve had so much strength there and at the moment there’s a bit of a lull coming through. It’s pretty open [for spots].’’
Ellis gave New Zealand ‘‘plenty of chance’’ of upsetting Australia and believed they would come back strongly after a dreadful fourth quarter against England.